Fenner - Houston-Packer Collection BX5037 .F46 1651

196 CHRIS TS .a4larrrs among the Churches of Jena Chrift, which had m ore wit, then to Judge theta to be alive, if they had beds fo palpably wicked ; no, it feemes they were an excellent Church to ièe to, a good Miniflry to fee to, but both dead ; fo then this is the meaning. For all their kerning to be alive, they were indeeddead ; as the Apoflle (ayes of hirnfelfe, before he was quickned by Curio Jelits, He was dead, fix revived, and 3 dyed, Rom.7.9. yet he was as jolly a good man as any oilier, and yet he confeffes he was dead ; fo they were dead for the mofl part ; and thofe that were not all out dead, yet they were dead hearted, and without life in Gods wages. For as it was with the Moraller Heathen acyclic' the things contained in the Law, yet they were dead ; fó a people may doe the things contained in the Goipell too, and yet bee dead; people may believe ; yet as lames (ayes, 7keir faith be dead faith,Jam. 2.26, namely when their faith is without works, fo people may have godly works, for the morali part of thetn,and yet doe them with a, dead heart; to be fober and:temperate, .nd loving, and chafle and civilly humble, and meek and diligent in their calling, and known to frequent all the ordinances of God, in publick and in private, thefe are outwardly good works. and yet may be in, the number of thole works that the Ap°tilecalls dead wer/j, ;Heb.6..i namely vv hen there is no life of Cod in them. Thoulands deceive themfelves in this, when they have a kinder of Faith; and a kind of particular faith, and filch works as there flowing from their faith, they think this to be a lively: faith; no_ no, a man may be dead for all that. ;his truth will qw fink into!niens minds ; fan ties,fancies fay they, thefe,ate; nothing but the whinsLies of a company of giddy Braines ; what would they have ? Ifthis be not true religion wevvonder what is ; thus they fear there things> but beloved'ris certain.; for it is not enough to be- leive, except we do it with life, be that_liveth. and beletveth in mee,Joh.r:,z,.O. Faith without-life is but equivocally ter -1 med faith ; to it is.not enough to hope in God except we.doe it with life ; its bath begotten. ns againe te off lively,hepe, fayes Peter.

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